Game illustrating unit



Sept. 22, 1964 J. F. HULLMAN 3,149,841

GAME ILLUSTRATING UNIT Filed Oct. 13, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l 22 9 U I 1mm" INVENTOR.

JUL/US F HULLMAN p 4 J. F. HULLMAN 3,149,841

GAME ILLUSTRATING UNIT Filed Oct. 13, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N J is;

INVENTOR.

JUL IUS F HUL L MAN WMLL /Qd" United States Patent 3,149,841 GAME ILLUSTRATENG UNIT .lulius F. Hulhnan, 3221 Sycamore Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio Filed Get. 13, 2953, Ser. No. 767,023 d Claims. (Cl. 273-130) The invention relates in general to an illustrating unit and more particularly to a control system for controlling the same.

An object of the invention is to provide first and second indicating or illustrating panels upon each of which are located a plurality of lights which may be turned on and off at the instance of an operator with a stop means controllable by the operator of either panel which stop means renders ineffective any further effort on the part of either operator to turn on lights or to turn off lights which are on.

Another object of the invention is to provide in conjunction with the above referred to illustrating panels a master control station which has means for turning out all of the lights which are on to clear the panels.

A further object of the invention is the provision or" means at the master control station which may be utilized to counteract the stop means referred to above when utilized whereby the operators of the panels may pro ceed with the panels in the same condition they were before the stop means was utilized.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

lGURE 1 is a view showing the teachings of the present invention incorporated in a unit which includes two indicating panels and a master control station;

FIGURE 2 is an electric circuit diagram used in operating and controlling the illustrating unit shown in F1- URE 1; and

FIGURE 3 shows a modification of a portion of the electric circuit shown in FIGURE 2.

The illustrating unit shown in FIGURE 1 has been indicated generally by reference numeral ll) and includes first and second indicating panels 12 and 13, respectively, and a main control station 16. The first indicating panel 12 includes a generally vertical portion which has a plurality of letters thereon (to be exact fifty in number) and these letters have been indicated generally by the reference numeral 1?. This construction is best described as including an individual chamber for each letter and behind each letter is associated an electric light. The letter is preferably formed on a transparent or translucent material so that when the associated light is illuminated behind the letter will stand out from the unlightcd ones. The first panel also includes a substantially horizontal portion which has a plurality of push buttons indicated generally by the reference numeral 17 and associated with each of the push buttons is a letter of the alphabet which corresponds to the letter on the vertical portion of the panel. These push buttons are preferably of translucent plastic material and the letters may be secured to the push buttons or may be on a sheet which conforms to the horizontal push button field. Behind each of the push buttons is an associated light so that when the unit is in operation and a push button is pushed the letter on the horizontal portion will be illuminated. If pushed again, it will be de-energized and go out. The

push buttons on the panel 13 have been indicated generally by the reference numeral 1% and the vertically positioned panel letters thereon by the reference numeral 2%. An electric cable 21 which may be plugged in to a domestic or commercial power outlet supplies power to the main control station and from there to the first panel 12 and then on to the second panel 13. The main control station 16 is provided with three push buttons indicated by the reference numerals 22, 23, and 24, respectively, which when pushed operate electric switches which will be described in more detail hereafter. The main control station may also, for the sake of example, include a timing device indicated by the reference numeral 26. The first indicating panel 12 includes a stop switch push button 27 which will be described in more detail hereafter and which when pushed will cause a light 29 on the panel and a buzzer St to be actuated. A similar stop switch push button 28 is provided on the second panel 13 along with a light 31 and buzzer 32.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 2, the electric circuit diagram for the unit shown generally in FIGURE 1 will now be described. The master control station 16 has been indicated as enclosed by a dot-dash line referred to by the reference numeral 16. The first indicating panel has been schematically indicated as enclosed by a dotdash line designated by the reference numeral 12. In this panel 12 only four push button light and four panel letter light circuits have been shown, however, when a panel is used such as that shown in FIGURE 1, it will include fifty push button light and panel light circuits. In FIGURE 2, the second indicating panel 13 has been schematically indicated as enclosed by dot-dash line 13 and in this panel only two of the push button and panel letter light circuits have been shown. It is understood that in the device as shown in FIGURE 1, it is necessary to include fifty of such circuits in total. The electric circuit of FIGURE 2 includes a power source 35 and it will be noted that the main control station has been shown as including an electric motor 36. This motor is for the purpose, for example, of driving the timing means. First electrical circuit means are provided and extend from the power source 35 for supplying electric energy through the main control station to each of the panels 12 and 13. Conductors 37 and 38 comprise the first electrical circuit means. A reset switch 40 is interposed in the first circuit means as well as a start switch 41. These switches are respectively moved by pressing the push buttons 22 and 23 on the main control station 16. These two switches are located in series with each other and each are movable between first and second positions. When the reset switch is in the first position as shown in FIG- URE 2 and the start switch 41 is closed then the first electrical circuit means will be energized as discussed hereinafter. As disclosed hereinafter there are other switches interposed in the first electrical circuit means and it is also necessary that these switches be in a predetermined position before current will fiow therein.

The panel letter lights and associated circuits which have been shown in FIGURE 2 have been indicated by the letters L, I, O and N and the push button letters and associated circuits corresponding thereto have been indicated by the letters L, I, O, and N. A ratchet type impulse relay 4d is provided in the first panel 12 for each of the push button and panel lights and a ratchet type impulse relay 47 has been provided in the second panel 13 for each of the push button and panel lights. Second electrical circuit means includes conductors 48 and 49 and these conductors supply power from the first electrical circuit means to the coil of each of the ratchet type relays 46 in the first panel 12. The conductor 49 extends to a common ground 71 which is utilized in other circuits which will be descriped hereafter. Third electrical circuit means are also provided and include conductors 52 and 53 which provide power from the first electrical circuit means to the coils of the ratchet type relays 47 in the second panel 13. The designation of the relays 46 and 47 as ratchet relays or impulse relays is used to designate a relay which when an electric impulse is given to the coil it will move through one cycle of operation. The type of impulse or ratchet relay which is usable in the present invention may be of the type shown and more completely described in United States Patent 2,721,194, issued October 25, 1955, to R. K. Cheltz. Another publication showing relays of this type which are usable in Data Bulletin 5211 dated February i957, and published by StruthersDunn, 1:10., of Pitrnan, NJ. In this type relay when an impulse is transmitted to the relay coil the switch which is associated with the core moves to a first position and remains there until another impulse is transmitted to the coil at which time it moves back to its original or to a third position as is determined by the construction. The second and third electrical circuit means are connected in parallel with each other and the second electrical circuit means comiects the push button and panel letter lights of each associated panel in parallel with the other push button and panel letter lights. The third electrical circuit means in the second panel 13 connects the push button and panel letter lights associated with each letter in parallel with the other push button and panel letter lights.

A stop switch relay 55 which is of the self-energizing type is provided on the first panel 12 and a stop switch relay 56 of the same type is provided on the second panel 13. By referring to the relays 55 and 56 as self-energizing is meant that once a circuit is closed which energizes the coil of the relay that the subsequent movement of the core as a result of the energization of the coil closes another circuit which keeps the relay in this condition until the subsequent circuit is broken. Fourth electrical circuit means which includes conductors 58 and 59 is provided and this supplies power from the first electrical circuit means (conductor 37) to the coil of the relay 55. Fifth electrical circuit means which includes conductors 652 and 63 provides power from the first electrical circuit means to the coil of the relay 56. The fourth and fifth electrical circuit means are connected in parallel with each other. A first normally open switch 66 is interposed in the fourth electrical circuit means and is the switch which is moved upon pushing the push button indicated by the reference numeral 27 in panel 12. A normally open stop switch 67 is interposed in the fifth electrical circuit means and is the switch moved by the manipulation of push button 28 on panel 13. Moving of the switches 66 and 67 to the closed position causes the fourth and fifth electrical circuit means to be closed and an electrical impulse to be transmitted to the coils of relays 55 and 56, respectively. Sixth electrical circuit means are provided which includes a conductor 74 which extends from the main control station 16 to supply power from the power source to each of the first and second panels 12 and 13, respectively. A normally closed stop reset switch '73 is interposed in the conductor 70 of the sixth electrical circuit means. This switch 7 3 is moved upon manipulation of the push button 24 (FIGURE 1) on the main control station 16. The purpose of this switch will be described hereafter in the operation of the device. Seventh electrical circuit means which includes a conductor 76 supplies power from the sixth electrical circuit means 7% to the coil of the stop relay 55. The seventh electrical circuit means also includes a portion of the conductor 58 and conductor '9 which extends to the common ground 71 Eighth electrical circuit means which includes conductor 78 supplies power from the sixth electrical circuit means to the coil of the stop relay 56 in panel 1 .3. The eighth electrical circuit means also includes a portion of conductor 62 and conductor 63 which also extends to the common ground 71. The seventh and eighth electrical circuit means are connected in parallel with each other.

The stop relay 55 in panel 12 moves first and second stop relay switches indicated by the reference numerals 79 and 80, respectively. The stop relay 5% in panel 13 moves first and second stop relay switches 81 and 82,

respectively. The first stop relay switches 79 and 81, respectively, in the panels 12 and 1.3 are located in the conductor 37 of the first electrical circuit means and in series with each other. The second stop relay switch 8% in panel 12 is located in the conductor 76 of the seventh electrical circuit means and the second stop relay switch 32 in the panel 13 is located in the conductor 73 of the eighth electrical circuit means.

As disclosed hereinabove the ratchet type or impulse relays 46 in panel 12 are all connected in parallel with each other as are the relays 47 in panel 13. A manual ratchet relay switch $4 is associated with each of the lights in panel 12 in the respective parallel light circuit in the second electrical circuit means and a ratchet relay switch S5 is associated with each of the lights in panel 13 in its respective parallel branch of the third electrical circuit means. All of the ratchet relay switches 34 and 85 are movable between first and second positions, normally being located in the first position, however, when in the second position, supplying power to the coil of its associated ratchet relay.

Ninth electrical circuit means is provided which includes a conductor 8'7 and this supplies power from the source to the first and second panels 12 and 13, respectively. The reset switch at? in its second position closes the ninth electrical circuit means to the power source. As described hereinabove in its first position it aids in closing the first electrical circuit means as well as the sixth electrical circuit means. Tenth electrical circuit means which includes conductor 89 supplies power from the ninth electrical circuit means to the coils of the ratchet type impulse relay on the first panel 1.2. Eleventh electrical circuit means which includes conductor 93 supplies power from the ninth electrical circuit means to the coils of the ratchet type relays on the second panel 13. The tenth electrical circuit means in addition to the conductor 39 also includes the conductor 48 and conductor 49 which extends to the common ground 71. The eleventh electrical circuit means in addition to the conductor 93 includes conductors 5'2; and 53 which also extends to the common ground '71. The tenth electrical circuit means connects the coils of the ratchet relays in panel 1?. in parallel with each other and the eleventh electrical circuit means connects the coils of the ratchet means in panel 13 in parallel with each other. Twelfth electrical circuit means are provided which includes conductor 95 and supplies power from the source through the master control station to the first and second panels 12 and 13.- Thirteenth electrical circuit means which includes 93 supplies power from the twelfth electrical circuit means to each of the push button and associated panel lights on the first panel 12. The thirteenth electrical circuit means in addition to the conductor 98 also includes conductor 4-9 which connects with the common ground 71. Fourteenth electrical circuit means which includes conductor 99 supplies power from the twelfth electrical circuit means to each of the push button and associated panel li hts on the second panel 13.

First and second light relay switches 102 and N3, respectively, are actuated by each of the ratchet relays 46 of the first panel 12 and each of these relays is movable between first and second positions. A first relay switch 102 is located in its respective parallel branch of the tenth electrical circuit means and in its second position connects a coil of its respective ratchet type relay to the ninth electrical circuit means. The ratchet relay switches 47 in panel 13 are provided with first and second light relay switches indicated by the reference numerals and 106, respectively, and the first light relay switches 195 are located in their respective parallel branches of the eleventh electrical circuit means, and in their second position connects the coil of the respective ratchet relay to the ninth electrical circuit means. The second light relay switches ltlfl and 1%, respectively, of each panel are located in the respective parallel branch of the thirteenth and fourteenth electrical circuit means and in the second position of the ratchet relay connect their respective associated lights to the twelfth electrical circuit means.

The operation of the illustrating unit may be described in conjunction with a contest bteween two contestants placed at panels 32 and 13, respectively. An emcee or person presenting questions is situated at the main control station 16. The answer to the question to be presented may be found in the jumble of letters on each of the panels. The contestants may be told that the answer can be found by selecting a letter in any vertical row of letters and then proceeding downwardly until the answer to the question is spelled out. For the sake of a simple example, the question might be posed namely, What animal is king of the beasts? The answer to this question is obviously Lion. The object would therefore be, after the starting signal is given, to have the two contestants attempt to beat each other in selecting the correct answer. To start the contest the emcee would push the push button 23 which would close switch 41. This switch along with switch would cause the first electrical circuit means to be energized from the power source 35 which would cause motor 36 to be energized. This might be connected to the timing device 26 which would start the same. The contestant positioned at panel 12 upon deciding the correct answer to the question would push the push button 17 associated with the letter L in the third horizontal row (FIGURE 1) which in the circuit diagram of FIGURE 2 would be the switch 84 associated with the push button and panel lights on panel 12 indicated by the letters L and L. Throwing of the switch 84 causes the second electrical circuit means 48 to be energized thus energizing ratchet relay 46 of L and L which causes switches Hi2 and 103 to be moved to their second position. This causes the tenth and thirteenth electrical circuit means to be closed thus illuminating the push button and panel lights L and L. When the contestant pushes the switches $4 associated with the push button and panel lights I, O and N, the complete answer is spelled out. The push button and panel light circuits on panel 13 have been shown in FIGURE 1 as indicating that the second contestant has illuminated only the first two letters of the answer. As soon as the contestant has completely illuminated the answer to the question he moves push button 27 or 28, (FIGURE 1) depending upon the contestant, which closes either stop switch 66 or stop switch 67 (FIGURE 2). In this instance, contestant No. 1, since he has completed the answer would push button 27 and close switch 66 which causes the self-energizing relay to be initially energized through the fourth electrical circuit means. Since it is of the self-energizing type, as soon as the switch 66 is closed the first and second switches 79 and 80 are caused to be moved by the relay 55 thus causing the seventh electrical circuit means to be closed and the first electrical circuit means to be opened. The result therefore, of contestant No. 1 closing switch as, is to remove power from the first electrical circuit means. This prevents either contestant No. 1 or No. 2 from putting on or putting off any of the lights which he has illuminated. Assuming that the answer is correct and it is desired to return the panels to the original starting position, it is only necessary for the emcee to open switch 41 and to push button 22 which moves the reset switch 4% from its first to its second condition. In moving to its second condition switch 4t? energizes the ninth electrical circuit means 87 which through the tenth electrical circuit means 39 causes an electrical impulse to be transmitted to the coil of the ratchet relays 46 associated with the letters L, I, O, and N on panel 12. This happens because on the lights which are on, the first light relay switches 102 are in their second position thereby closing the tenth electrical circuit means 89 which permits the impulse to be transmitted to the coil. When this impulse is transmitted to the coil of the lights which are on, the relay is caused to move to its opposite position and remain there for another impulse. This causes the lights to go out. The same procedure takes place on the second panel by way of the eleventh electrical circuit means 93.

Assuming, however, that the answer to the question is incorrectly answered, then it is desirable to have a provision built into the unit whereby the contestants can be returned to their status before either of the stop switches 66 or 67 was thrown. If this is the case, then it is only necessary for the emcee to depress push button 24 which causes the stop reset switch 73 to be moved to the open position thereby de-energizing the sixth electrical circuit means. De-energization of the sixth electrical circuit means by way of the seventh electrical circuit means 76 in the case of panel 12 causes the coil of relay 55 to be de-energized and therefore causes closing of the first electrical circuit means and opening of the seventh electrical circuit means. This in effect returns the stop switch circuits 66 and 67 to their original position and permits the contestants to proceed from there.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the electrical circuit in the main control station 16 and leading therefrom. In this modification the motor 36 has been replaced by a simple indicating light 112 and the stop reset switch 73 has been dispensed with, otherwise the circuit is the same as shown in FIGURE 2. With the use of this circuit it is not possible to return the panels to their condition before either of the stop switches 66 or 67 was thrown. In this instance it is only possible to turn off all of the lights whereby the contestants must start over from the beginning. It will also be readily appreciated that the switch 41 may be dispensed with if it is so desired and switch 40 may be utilized in its stead.

Further panels similar to panels 12 and 13 may be added for other contestants if it be desired to have more than two people compete and this is done by extending another electrical cable from panel 13 from the electrical outlet 114- shown in FIGURE 1. Referring to FIGURE 2 this would involve the extending of conductors 71, 95, 37, and 37 to the right as viewed therein. The only requirement being that the conductor 116 which connects the electrical conductor 37 at the far right he removed and put in the same position at the end of the last panel. From this extension, the same type of circuits would be extended therefrom as shown in this case of the panels 12 and 13. As discussed hereinabove it will be appreciated that there are a total of fifty push button and panel light circuits instead of just four which are shown in the case of panel 12 (FIGURE 2) and the two which are shown in the case of panel 13 (FIGURE 2). In the case of panel 12;, all that is done is that conductors 48, 89, 98, and 49 are extended to the right from terminals 118 through 121 respectively and in the case of panel 13, it is only necessary that the conductors 52, 93, 9@ and 53 be extended to the right from terminals 124 through 127, respectively.

It will thus be seen that an illustrating unit has been provided which includes at least two panels upon which have been provided illuminating means which may be turned on and oil at the instance of an operator and which has been provided with stop means whereby the operator of either panel may render ineffective any further effort on the part of either operator to turn more illuminating means on or to turn the illuminating means which are on, off. After the stop means have been actuated by either operator the hereinabove described person at the master control station may turn all of the illuminating means to an off position thus clearing the panels and placing the same in a starting position again. The device also contains means whereby if an error is made by either contestant after the stop means have been actuated that the person at the master control station may put the panels back in the condition they Were before the stop means was actuated.

Although this invention has been described in its preareas .1

it ferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A control system for an illustrating unit including combination at least first and second indicating boards and a main control station, a plurality of indicating lights on each said first and second indicating boards, said indicating lights adapted to illuminate an associated letter of the alphabet, means for supplying electrical power to each of said first and second indicating boards through said main control station, a switch for each indicating light for selectively supplying electrical power thereto, a stop switch on each said first and second indicating boards, said stop switch on each said indicating board being operable between first and second positions and in said first position permitting the supply of electrical power to said indicating lights and in the second position prohibiting the supply of electrical power to said indicating lights, a first reset switch at said main control station and associated circuit means to return either of said stop switches to its first position when same is in its second position, a second reset switch at said main control station and associated circuit means for turning off all of said indicating lights that are on, and an on-ofi switch on said control station to control power to said indicating lights.

2. A control system for an illustrating unit including in combination at least first and second indicating boards and a main control station, a plurality of indicating lights on each said first and second indicating boards, said indicating lights adapted to illuminate an associated letter of the alphabet, means for supplying electrical power to each of said first and second indicating boards through said main control station, a switch for each indicating light for selectively supplying electrical power thereto, a stop switch on each said first and second indicating boards, said stop switch on each said indicating board being operable between first and second positions and in said first position permitting the supply of electrical power to said indicating lights and in the second position prohibiting the supply of electrical power to said indicating lights, and a reset switch at said main control station and associated circuit means for turning oli all of said indicating lights that are 3. An electrical control system for at least first and second indicating panels comprising a plurality of lights on each said first and second indicating panels, a main control station separate from each said first and second indicating panels, a power source, first electrical circuit means supplying power from said source to each said first and second indicating panels, a reset switch and a start switch on said main control station and in said first electrical circuit means and located in series with each other, said reset and said start switch each movable between first and second positions and when in said position causing said first electrical circuit means to be closed, a ratchet type impulse relay for each of said lights on each of said indicating panels, second and third electrical circuit means supplying power from said first electrical circuit means to said ratchet relays on each said first and second indicating panels respectively, said second and third electrical circuit means being connected in parallel with each other, a stop relay on each said first and second indicating panels, fourth and fifth electrical circuit means supplying power from said first electrical circuit means to said stop relay on said first and second indicating panels respectively, said fourth and fifth electrical circuit means being connected in parallel with each other, first and second normally open manual stop switches in said fourth and fifth electrical circuit means respectively, sixth electrical circuit means supplying power from said source to each said first and second indicating panels, a normally closed stop reset switch in said sixth electrical circuit means, seventh and eighth electrical circuit means supplying power from said sixth electrical circut means to said stop relay on said first and second indicating panels respectively, said seventh and eighth electrical circuit means being connected in parallel with each other, first and second stop relay switches in each said first and second indicating panels, said first and second stop relay switches in each said first and second panels being controlled by a respective stop relay, said first stop relay switch on each said first and second indicating panels being located in said first electrical circuit means, said second stop relay switch on said first indicating panel being located in said seventh electrical circuit means, said second stop relay switch on said second indicating panel being located in said eighth electrical circuit means, said ratchet type impulse relays on each indicating panel being connected in parallel with each other, a manual ratchet relay switch for each ratchet relay in each parallel branch of each said second and third electrical circuit means, each said manual ratchet relay switch movable between first and second positions and normally located in said first position and in said second position supplying power to its respective ratchet relay, ninth electrical circuit means for supplying power to said first and second indicating panels, said reset switch in said second position closing said ninth electrical circuit means to said power source, tenth and eleventh electrical circuit means supplying power from said ninth electrical circuit means to said ratchet type impulse relays on said first and second indicating panels respectively, said tenth electrical circuit means connecting its associated ratchet type impulse relays in parallel with each other, said eleventh electrical circuit means connecting its associated ratchet type impulse relays in parallel with each other, twelfth electrical circuit means supplying power to said first and second indicating panels, thirteenth and fourteenth electrical circuit means supplying power from said twelfth electrical circuit means to said lights on said first and second indicating panels respectively, said thirteenth electrical circuit means connecting its associated lights in parallel with each other, said fourteenth electrical circuit means connecting its associated lights in parallel with each other, first and second light relay switches controlled by each said ratchet type impulse relay on each said indicating panel and being movable between first and second positions, said first light relay switch of each ratchet type impulse relay being located in its respective parallel branch of said tenth and eleventh electrical circuit means and in its second position connecting its respective ratchet type relay to said ninth electrical circuit means, said second light relay switch of each ratchet type impulse relay being located in its respective parallel branch of said thirteenth and fourteenth electrical circuit means and in its second position connecting its respective light to said twelfth electrical circuit means, and an cn-oti indicating light located in said first electrical circuit means.

4. An electrical control system for at least first and second indicating panels comprising a plurality of lights on each said first and second indicating panels, a main control station separate from each said first and second indicating panels, a power source, first electrical circuit means supplying power from said source to each said first and second indicating panels, a reset switch and a start switch on said main control station and in said first electrical circuit means, said reset and said start switch each movable between first and second positions and when in said first position causing said first electrical circuit means to be closed, a relay for each of said lights on each of said indicating panels, second and third electrical circuit means supplying power from said first electrical circuit means to said relays on each said first and second indicating panels respectively, said second and third electrical circuit means being connected in parallel with each other, a stop relay h on each said first and second indicating panels, fourth and fifth electrical circuit means supplying power from said first electrical circuit means to said step relay on said first and second indicating panels respectively, first and second normally open manual stop switches in said fourth and fifth electrical circuit means respectively, sixth electrical circuit means supplying power from said source to each said first and second indicating panels, a normally closed stop reset switch in said sixth electrical circuit means, seventh and eighth electrical circuit means supplying power from said sixth electrical circuit means to said stop relay on said first and second indicating panels respectively, first and second stop relay switches in each said first and second indicating panels, said first and second stop relay switches in each said first and second panels being controlled by a respective stop rela said first stop relay switch on each said first and second indicating panels being located in said first electrical circuit means, said second stop relay switch on said first indicating panel being located in said seventh electrical circuit means, said second stop relay switch on said second indicating panel being located in said eighth electrical circuit means, said light relays on each indicating panel being connected in parallel with each other, a manual switch for each light relay in each parallel branch of each said second and third electrical circuit means, each said manual switch. movable between first and second positions and normally located in said first position and in said second position supplyin power to its respective light relay, ninth electrical circuit means for supplying power to said first and second indicating panels, said reset switch in said second position closing said ninth electrical circuit means to said power sou 'ce, tenth and eleventh electrical circuit means supplying power from said ninth electrical circuit means to said light relays on said first and second indicating panels respectively, said tenth electrical circuit means connecting its associated light relays in parallel with each other, said eleventh electrical circuit means connecting its associated light relays in parallel with each other, twelfth electrical circuit means supplying power to said first and second indicating panels, thirteenth and fourteenth electrical circuit means supplying power from said twelfth electrical circuit means to said lights on said first and second indicating panels respectively, said thirteenth electrical circuit means connecting its associated lights in parallel with each other, said fourteenth electrical circuit means connecting its associated lights in parallel with each other, first and second light relay switches controlled by each said light relay on each said indicating panel and being movable between first and second positions, said first light switch of each light relay being located in its respective parallel branch of said tenth and eleventh electrical circuit means and in its second position connecting its respective light relay to said ninth electrical circuit means, said second light relay switch of each light relay being located in its respective parallel branch of said thirteenth and fourteenth electrical circuit means and in its second ilfi position connecting its respective light to said twelfth electrical circuit means.

5. An illustrating unit including in combination first and second indicating panels and a control station, a plurality of indicating lights on each said first and second indicating panels, switches on said first and second indicating panels for said indicating lights whereby contestants at said first and second indicating panels may selectively turn off and on said indicating lights, means for supplying electrical power to each of said first and second indicating panels through said control station, a stop switch at each of said first and second indicating panels and movable between first and second positions, said stop switches in said first position permitting said indicating lights on said first and second indicating panels to be turned on and off by the contestants thereat and in said second position prohibiting said indicating lights on said first and second indicating panels to be turned on and ofi by the contestants thcreat, a first reset switch at said control station and associated circuit means for returning each of said first and second indicating panels to its condition immediately prior to either of said stop switches being moved from its first to its second position, and a second reset switch at said control station and associated circuit means for turning off all of said indicating lights on said first and second indicating panels that are on.

6. An illustrating unit including in combination first and second indicating panels and a control station, a plurality of indicating lights on each said first and second indicating panels, switches on said first and second indicating panels for said indicating lights whereby contestants at said first and second indicating panels may selectively turn oil and on said indicating lights, means for supplying electrical power to each of said first and second indicating panels through said control station, a stop switch at each of said first and second indicating panels and movable between first and second positions, said stop switches in said first position permitting said indicating lights on said first and second indicating panels to be turned on and off by the contestants thereat and in said second position prohibiting said indicating lights on said first and second indicating panels to be turned on and off by the contestants thereat, a first reset switch at said control station and associated circuit means for returning each of said first and second indicating panels to its condition immediately prior to either of said stop switches being moved from its first to its second position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

2. A CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN ILLUSTRATING UNIT INCLUDING IN COMBINATION AT LEAST FIRST AND SECOND INDICATING BOARDS AND A MAIN CONTROL STATION, A PLURALITY OF INDICATING LIGHTS ON EACH SAID FIRST AND SECOND INDICATING BOARDS, SAID INDICATING LIGHTS ADAPTED TO ILLUMINATE AN ASSOCIATED LETTER OF THE ALPHABET, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRICAL POWER TO EACH OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND INDICATING BOARDS THROUGH SAID MAIN CONTROL STATION, A SWITCH FOR EACH INDICATING LIGHT FOR SELECTIVELY SUPPLYING ELECTRICAL POWER THERETO, A STOP SWITCH ON EACH SAID INDICATING BOARD BEING OPERABLE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS AND IN SAID FIRST POSITION PERMITTING THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO SAID INDICATING LIGHTS AND IN THE SECOND POSITION PROHIBITING THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO SAID INDICATING LIGHTS, AND A RESET SWITCH AT SAID MAIN CONTROL STATION AND ASSOCIATED CIRCUIT MEANS FOR TURNING OFF ALL OF SAID INDICATING LIGHTS THAT ARE ON. 